Chapter 28: Three Meals Optional, One Hunt Essential

The first round of the exam ended with Rita’s match, followed by the usual: announcing rankings, examiners’ remarks, and the much-anticipated, nerve-wracking two-day break.

Cecilia rose from the examiners’ seats, taking the prepared ranking list, and stepped to the stage’s front.

“Candidates.” Cecilia raised her voice, though it remained soft, like leaves that could scatter in the wind.

“The first round has concluded successfully. Despite some discussed incidents, as the host of this Holy Knight exam, I, Cecilia Julius, Fourth Princess of the Kingdom, swear on my honor that this exam has been entirely fair and just.”

Her tone shifted, her piercing, familiar gaze sweeping the arena, making many squirm as if frozen by it.

“But a fair exam doesn’t mean no one tried to interfere. From the first day’s plot against me to the blatant demon collusion attacking candidates in Solus City, these are affronts to the Kingdom. To those scheming in the shadows, the sword of judgment hangs over you. If you don’t want a disgraceful end, offer your head willingly, and I’ll grant you a dignified death.”

Words that should’ve stirred waves fell into a silent lake. Many didn’t dare breathe.

So… intense.

Rita shivered in the candidate seats.

Was I really bathing and sleeping with someone like this?

Not hanging me at the city gate on day one was Cecilia being merciful.

Thinking back, aligning with Cecilia was because she offered so much—and Rita had seen her vulnerable side.

But she barely knew this enigmatic girl.

If they were to spend more time together, shouldn’t she learn more about her?

Cecilia’s sharp gaze softened, returning to her speech. “Future Holy Knights, over these days, I’ve witnessed your resolve…”

“Sister, you did great, really great.” Valphis patted Rita. After days together, Rita didn’t mind her gestures.

In those days of cold stares, only Valphis sat with her despite odd looks, touching Rita deeply.

“Great? I’m exhausted.” Rita stuck out her tongue, hugging the spear.

She wasn’t exaggerating. After that fight, her stomach was growling.

Had Momoka not thrown her spear, Rita couldn’t imagine winning without exposing her identity.

“Not that. If you’d lost, could the Princess say those words? Would the crowd be this quiet? Think—if you’d lost, what would things be like now?”

No wonder Cecilia said what she did.

Until Valphis pointed it out, Rita hadn’t realized her responsibility was so heavy—

“So, sister, this wasn’t just winning a match. You turned the tide!” Seeing Rita’s realization, Valphis continued, eyeing the spear. “By the way, when’d you pick that up?”

After Cecilia’s speech came the rankings.

Exact scores weren’t revealed, but candidates needed to know their standing.

First, unsurprisingly, was the gray-haired swordswoman Promi, undeniably dominant. Second was the dual-wielding Alber.

As two of the three undefeated candidates, they earned their spots.

Third was Momoka, who’d just lost to Rita. Her scores were high, and despite one loss, her performance secured her rank.

Fourth was Rita, also undefeated, but her first four matches scored pitifully low. Without today’s win, her rank would’ve dropped further.

Fifth was Johnson, with one loss. Rita didn’t catch the rest, though Valphis’s name was among the bottom.

Exhausted, Rita just wanted a proper meal.

Not human food, but a succubus’s hunt.

Unlike humans, succubi didn’t need three meals a day.

Correction: three meals were optional, but one hunt was essential.

Since accidentally attacking Cecilia a week ago, Rita hadn’t fed. Sleeping or bathing with the Princess didn’t restore her energy.

Like a machine, she ran on low power normally, but that fight was high output.

With the city on edge and Rita just clearing demon collusion suspicions, she couldn’t risk exposing herself.

But she couldn’t starve either. She wasn’t going to die hiding her identity.

Luckily, Cecilia had given her plenty of gold coins. Spending a couple at a lily-themed brothel for a “buffet” was doable.

Using Cecilia’s money to sneak a meal felt sinful.

Pfft, what sneaking? What sugar mama?

This is survival!

As dusk fell, Rita pocketed some coins, borrowed a cloak from a mansion maid to hide her identity, and left.

Money and disguise sorted, but where was the buffet?

From her pre-transmigration days, when gaudy women stopped her at night asking, “Hey, want a massage?” such places were in dark alleys, right?

She’d figure it out.

After a few streets, Rita found a quiet alley.

It only seemed empty. She sensed many human presences, just out of sight.

The air carried a complex scent.

Taking a deep breath, Rita steeled herself and entered, following the scent through twists and turns.

As expected, behind the deserted alley lay a hidden gem—a small marketplace.